As the protector of the sea, Aquaman has faced powerful villains and a few on the more comical side. The Human Flying Fish, a creation of Robert Bernstein and Ramona Fradon, belongs to the latter category.

He was introduced in Adventure Comics #272 (May 1960) as Vic Bragg, a swimming champion turned criminal. Bragg met Dr. Krill, the medical professional and marine biologist, who also turned to a life of crime. Dr. Krill had been studying Aquaman’s abilities and how he stopped criminals on the water. He surmised that the only way to commit a crime in the sea and escape Aquaman would be to flee the scene by flying away where the hero couldn’t follow.

After developing the hypothesis, Krill surgically altered Bragg to give him abilities in the water and a special costume that he could use to fly for short periods. Bragg became the Human Flying Fish, able to swim at superhuman speeds, though not as fast as Aquaman, and the ability to function underwater, unaffected by the temperature, pressure, or lack of light. Using the winged suit, the Human Flying Fish could fly with precision and speed, even able to board a plane mid-flight. At first Aquaman was perplexed by his new foe’s ability to fly, but soon he developed a solution to the problem and captured the Human Flying Fish and Dr. Krill.

The Human Flying Fish returned in Aquaman, The Sword of Atlantis #54, appearing as a more accomplished criminal. He worked as a mercenary and security chief for Tri-dent base and was able to defeat the second Aquaman. But once he discovered that the group of villains he was working with planned to kill a large group of people, he left them.

The Human Flying Fish was mentioned during the New 52, but otherwise he has been absent from comics for several years.